Method for forming a train of suspended objects transported under the influence of air jets, and conveying section for carrying out said method

Abstract

The method serves to form a train of articles, e.g. plastic bottles, which articles are transported in a conveyor line while being suspended and propelled along the line in a given transport direction under drive from transport air jets. The method comprises the following successive steps implemented in a segment of the conveyor that is referred to as a train-forming segment: a) articles are accumulated in at least a downstream zone of the train-forming segment under drive from transport air jets in an upstream zone of the segment, and by the articles in the downstream zone being braked (and optionally stopped) by drive from air; b) interrupting or reducing the power of the transport air jets in the upstream zone of the train-forming segment so that the articles present in said upstream zone do not penetrate into the downstream zone, while accelerating (or starting) a train of articles under drive from transport air jets in the downstream zone of the train-forming segment.

1 . A method of forming a train of articles which articles being transported in a conveyor line while being suspended and propelled along the line in a given transport direction under drive from transport air jets, the method comprising the following successive steps implemented in a conveyor segment referred to as a train-forming segment: 
 a) accumulating articles at least in a downstream zone of the train-forming segment under drive from transport air jets in an upstream zone of the segment, together with air-driven braking (and optionally stopping) of the articles in the downstream zone; and    b) interrupting or reducing the power of the transport air jets in the upstream zone of the train-forming segment so that the articles present in said upstream zone do not penetrate into the downstream zone, and accelerating (or starting) a train of articles under drive from transport air jets in the downstream zone of the train-forming segment.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the braking (or stopping) of the articles during the accumulation step a) is achieved by means of reverse air jets applied to the articles in the downstream zone of the conveyor segment and directed in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the articles.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the acceleration (or starting) of a train of articles in the downstream zone of the segment is achieved by means of transport air jets acting beneath or above the suspension points of the articles.  
     
     
         4 . A segment for forming trains of suspended articles, the segment being of the type comprising a main air duct extending over the entire length of the segment, and fan type air feed means enabling air to be introduced under pressure into the inside of the main air duct, which main air duct, once fed with air under pressure, enables transport air jets to be generated for propelling suspended articles in a given transport direction, the segment further comprising a reverse blow duct extending solely in a downstream zone of the segment, which duct is designed to be fed with air under pressure and serves, once fed with air under pressure, to generate reverse air jets acting on the articles in the direction opposite to their transport direction, and air distribution means for distributing the air introduced inside the main air duct making it possible to distribute the air over the entire length of the duct, or else to concentrate said air in the downstream zone of the segment.  
     
     
         5 . A segment according to  claim 4 , wherein the main air duct is subdivided by a longitudinal separator partition into a main compartment and a secondary compartment, wherein the air feed means are connected to the main compartment, wherein the secondary compartment communicates for air feed with the main compartment via at least one upstream admission opening provided in the upstream zone of the segment, and via at least one downstream admission opening provided in the downstream zone of the segment, and wherein the air distribution means include a closure valve for closing the upstream admission opening.  
     
     
         6 . A segment for forming trains of suspended articles, the segment being of the type comprising a main air duct extending over the entire length of the segment and fan type air feed means enabling air under pressure to be introduced into the inside of the main air duct, the main air duct once fed with air under pressure serving to generate transport air jets for propelling suspended articles in a given transport direction, the segment further comprising a secondary air duct which is designed to be fed with air under pressure and which extends solely in a downstream zone of the segment, and air distribution means for distributing the air introduced into the main air duct enabling the air inside the main duct to be distributed over the entire length of the duct or enabling said air to be concentrated in the downstream zone of the segment, and wherein the main and secondary air ducts, once fed with air under pressure, enable transport air jets to be generated respectively above and below the suspension points of the articles (or vice versa).  
     
     
         7 . A segment according to  claim 6 , wherein the main air duct is subdivided by a longitudinal separator partition into a main compartment and a secondary compartment, wherein the air feed means are connected to the main compartment, wherein the secondary compartment communicates for air feed with the main compartment via at least one upstream admission opening provided in the upstream zone of the segment and via at least one downstream admission opening provided in the downstream zone of the segment, and wherein the air distribution means comprise a closure valve for closing the upstream admission opening.  
     
     
         8 . A segment according to  claim 6 , further comprising a reverse blow duct which is designed to be fed with air under pressure and which, once fed with air under pressure, serves to generate reverse air jets acting on the articles in the direction opposite to their transport direction.  
     
     
         9 . A segment according to  claim 8 , wherein the reverse and secondary blow ducts are constituted respectively by two longitudinal compartments of a blow box fitted with an air-distributing slide valve.  
     
     
         10 . A conveyor line for conveying suspended articles, the line comprising a succession of conveyor segments enabling the suspended articles to be transported under the drive of transport air jets, and being wherein at least one of the conveyor segments of the line is a segment for forming trains of articles according to  claim 4 .  
     
     
         11 . A conveyor line according to  claim 10 , including a switch immediately downstream from a train-forming segment.  
     
     
         12 . A conveyor line according to  claim 11 , including apparatus for dynamically storing articles in line, which apparatus is located immediately downstream from a train-forming segment.